Archive for November, 2011

Even with the birth of my grandson, progress has continued……….slowly but continuing. Almost all the plywood is fastened down for the first three communities for the railroad.

The question of  turnouts and how am I planning to control them has been asked so I will address that here. One big word here Micro Engineering code 55. I have been building my turnouts using a jig I purchased from Fast Tracks and even though they are coming along I ran into a problem with them that I didn’t notice until I was getting ready to use them. I thought I was being very careful but the wheels are getting pinched in the Wing Rails. Not sure what I was doing wrong but I will definitely be watching much closer next time I build one. In order to get a couple trains moving a little quicker I have purchased a number of Micro Engineering turnouts. These are spring loaded so they can easily be switched with a pick or finger but I will likely eventually have a unit installed underneath to keep fingers off of the layout  as I am also thinking of installing operating switch stands. The turnout control will very likely be either the Fast Tracks Bullfrog or a home made style or a combination of each. One problem I am coming up with is finding a small piano wire for these small turnouts. I have asked at hardware stores and they look at me as if I’m nuts and tell me they have no idea what I’m talking about. If anyone knows where I can find piano wire please let me know.

Going to try and get the rest of the plywood levelled and cork down this week.

Later

Al

On November 16th at 10:24 p.m. Benjamin James Bishop joined our world. He weighed 5 lbs. 5 oz. and 18″ long. This is my first Grandchild and I’m still not sure I am ready or even old enough for that matter Everyone is doing fine and mamma may be discharged today but baby will remain in neonatal for another 7 – 10 days as he was a bout 5 weeks early. Again everyone is doing great they just want to monitor Ben and make sure he has the strength to feed properly but with all the prayers he is doing really well so far so it might possibly be an early release.

Even though he can’t handle a shovel yet……. heck, he doesn’t even weigh as much as a shovel full of coal, You can bet your boilers and connecting rods I’ll be teachin’ him to be an engineer and how to handle a throttle as soon as he is able.